It's an art studio. A cluttered, bohemian, art studio. One wall is a mess of various artwork and trinkets, mirrors, clocks, a small shelf filled with art books and records, old lamps, fans; pretty much everything the resident artist has ever worked on or treasured. To the right of the studio is a wall filled with neatly organized drawers filled with paints and brushes, several easels with unfinished paintings, a small pottery wheel and kiln, a sculpture stand, and a table filled with implements to create jewelry.

Wednesday night.

While most other businesses have closed for the evening, Scarlett has her windows open wide, lights still on, and some strange swing-type music blaring on the radio. This is for the work. This is for the completion of the bust sculpture she's been commissioned to do of McNaab. Presentable tomorrow if everything goes great tonight. Moving around the pedestal she's set up in the center of the shop, she uses a small tool to etch out the finer details of the man's face. Focusing mainly on the eyes at the moment.

-

There is twin jingling as the bells declare to the shop that someone has just entered the quaint little studio. And upon further inspection, the curly-haired visage of non other than Ivan will be made apparent. Once he spies his sister, he instinctively heads in her direction with a faint smile on his face. Instead of yelling out to childishly break her concentration like he might've done in the past, he waits patiently. "…Scar?"

-

"We're closed," Scarlett says, not bothering to look up. Then she hears the familiar voice, she doesn't smile just yet. She finishes off the tearduct, and then wipes the tool on her apron. "Ivan? What brings you here so late?" A glance to the door, and she seems to fixate on it for a moment. Wondering if she'd left it unlocked or just forgotten to lock it when she flipped the sign to 'closed'. "Sorry, promised to have him finished by tomorrow. Some gala or something. Putting some finishing touches on it."

-

"I was working, and I didn't want to interrupt your business hours either…" Her lack of enthusiasm when it comes to seeing her brother does not leave Ivan very pleased. Pursing his lips, he looks to the bust, before glancing at the door once again. "Is this a bad time? I can head off if its inconvenient for you. Come back some other time, or…call or…" Beat. "Why's there have to be a reason? Can't I just want to see you?"

-

Scarlett is not Helen. She's not going to run and jump for joy at the sight of her brother. Besides which, she's still sort of in artist mode frame of mind. Placing the tool down on the small tray to the side of the pedestal, she shrugs. "Of course not, Ivan. You're welcome here any time. You know Trey's been here, though he seems to come and go without much word." With a frown, she glances at the back room and then nods toward the chairs. "Make yourself comfortable, and I can run back and get us some drinks if you want." She shakes her head. "Never a bad time. I can pull an all-nighter and get that big lug of a head done before morning, don't sweat it. You know me, perfectionist and all."

-

Ivan nods then, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans back. "Yeah. Yeah, I know Trey's here. And if you say so…" Curiously, he glances back towards the chairs, before reaching over to drag one over closer and collapsing within in. In he process, he also loosens up the professional tie around his neck - clearly, he came straight from work. "Drinks? Ah…you know what, I'll pass. Thanks though. And yeah. I believe 'anal' was the term I prefer to use." He points out, grinning broadly.

-

"Water then." Scarlett scoots into the back room for just a moment, returning with two tall glasses filled with ice and water. She would have grabbed the bottles, but they were warm.

"You passing on drinks though? Don't want a recap of what happened on St. Patrick's Day, huh?" Sticking her tongue out at him, she quickly drinks about a third of her glass, then wipes her brow. "So, I see Robert's actually getting married now… since you're pretty much already part of that family, offer my congratulations, would you?"

-

"No, I'm…or, okay." Ivan blinks as Scarlett as she runs off to grab the drink. What can he do but accept with a smile as he picks up the glass. "Awesome. Thanks. And…something like that…maybe." He frowns as she brings up that infamous day, taking a cautionary sip of his water. Cue awkward cough. "I…You heard about that, huh? Yeah. I'm not congratulating him or anything. I don't trust that little weasel. And…I threw my shoe at him." Beat. "You okay though?"

-

"It was in the paper, Ivan. I'm pretty sure the entire city knows about it now." Scarlett rolls her eyes, then leans against the wall. "I'm fine, and you shouldn't have thrown your shoe at him. Besides, I've moved on." That's all she's saying on it. "So uhh… you didn't talk to Carter yesterday did you?" Taking another long sip of the icy water, she snags a small ice cube and sucks on it.

-

"Well, geez. I didn't know you scoured the papers looking for wedding proposals every day," Ivan retorts with a roll of his eyes right back, taking the opportunity afterwards to down more water. "I should have done worse to him. And I would have, had I not empathized with his current situation and the desperation of trying to find one of the Tyler's. You've…moved on?" Ivan inquires, surprised and sounding slightly off-put by this information. "Carter?…If you tell me you're engaged to him, I swear to God I'm going to punch a bitch in the face."

-

"Ass. Helen left it open on the kitchen table the other morning. I don't know what she was reading, but there it was." Scarlett shrugs. It's not like seeing the announcement hurt. Much. "I don't know where your violence is coming from, brother dearest, but you know what you always say about that? You need to get laid." She gives him an odd sort of look, then snorts. "First of all, punching Carter in the face would likely kill him. Second of all, no. I figured he'd rant at you about how I'm the wicked bitch of the west though."

-

"I do get laid. By my beautiful girlfriend, who I would never dream of playing. Never. Because I actually love her, unlike someone we unfortunately know…" Ivan points out easily, quirking his brow upwards as he looks over Scarlett cautiously. "I don't talk to Carter. Period. He's just someone I work with, and…I already knew about you being the wicked bitch of the west. Heh. So, what happened?"

-

"Yeah, yeah, everything's coming up Ivan." Scarlett sneers at him for a moment, as though she's going to lay into him about something. Instead, she just shrugs. "Bad day, drunken proposition, and the idiot turned me down." Half the story, but all Ivan's going to get for the moment. "His loss. Besides, like I said, I moved on, and I'm happy." Even if the one she's moved on to is actually an ass most of the time. He does have his redeeming moments.

-

Unfortunately for Ivan, he happened to be drinking his water when Scarlett explained herself. And so, the way he spits out his water is rather comical. But really, it fits with the way he's staring, wide-eyed to Scarlett. "You what him?" Beat. "And he turned you down…is he gay?" He's confused. "I…uhh…well? I guess it's good that you're happy, and that's the most important thing?"

-

"I. Propositioned. Him." Scarlett spells it out, much more slowly for him this time. Then she goes and grabs a towel off one of her work racks, and starts sopping up the mess. Soggy studios are no fun at all to work in. "Either that or extremely gentlemanly, but like I said, his loss." She considers that for a moment. Is she happy? "Too early to tell if I'm truly happy yet, but we'll see." It's not as though she's in a dead-serious relationship. "What about you? Wedding bells in your future, little brother?"

-

"Yeah…well. Just be careful, Scarlett." He makes a grimace, apologetic for the mess he inadvertently made by his spit take. "Sorry. But, yeah. With people, just…well. Is it someone I know? Since…I'm miraculously known your last two…endeavors." But when she asks about him, he lets his lips curl into a wry smile, leaning back slightly. "Ah, no. Well, maybe - but not anytime soon. I…I can see it though. I can see me marrying her. Raising a family and all…" Ahem. "But…we are kind of taking the next step. And I wanted to come to talk to you about it, actually. It was one of my motivators today. We're thinking of buying a house just outside of the city."

-

"Be careful? Ivan, I've never been one of those foolish girls to get lost in heartbreak and five pints of ice cream." Scarlett shakes her head, and continues to sop up the mess. "Doubt you know him this time, and I actually like that." When she's certain she's got the entire mess cleaned up, she exhales a sigh. "Greeeat, that's all the world needs. Little Ivan's running around." Rolling her eyes a little she grins at him. "So why come see me about it? You want my blessing, or interior decorating tips?"

-

Ivan quirks his brows at that statement, but he allows it to disappear with that. "Well, try me anyway. Who's he? What's he do? I might surprise you - I know an alarming amount of people in Dallas." But then, she's continuing on, and her words prompt a broad laugh to escape from him. "What? The prospect of being an auntie that intimidating for you, huh? Man, my spawn'll be awesome." Ahem. "Ah…I don't know? Just…wanted to talk about it. I mean, you might not think so…but I do value your opinions, Scarlett. And…and there are times when I sit back and look at my life and think: Jesus Christ, I'm crazy. But then there are others when I wonder how I could ever be scared about what's happening to me - if that makes any sense? I just don't want to make a mistake."

-

"He's a mechanic." Oh, yes. Scarlett is moving up in the world. From Bouncer to Mechanic! She knows that there's going to be a lecture, so she braces herself for it by lifting up the towel and carrying it over to the rag bin so she can wash it in the morning. Tossing it in, she snorts. "Jerkish and crazy? Yes, I look forward to being auntie to that." Again, she sticks her tongue out. "I guess it depends on your reasons for wanting to move just outside the city. You'll have to commute a bit, which will be a bit of a hindrance. You'll be further away from the better schools and medical care that the city offers, and there are some really nice houses out in Greenville and the Uptown areas that are perfect starter homes. Flower gardens and all." Someone has done her research, obviously looking for a place closer to campus for Helen if she decides to stay and not move into a dorm.

-

Hey, being a mechanic is a respectable profession! Ivan would have no qualms with that, but… "Is there a reason you're avoiding saying his name? You do know his name, right?" Ivan prods, slightly amused. But then she speaks, and the amusement is lifted away from him. "Geez. Bitch. No, I meant handsome and oh so intelligent. And…well. I'll enjoy the privacy a bit more." He pauses, running his hand through his hair. "The city's great. I love Dallas. But it's too insular. I…Faith and I need more privacy. To move where people don't know where we are, and preferably who we are, even." So that vampires don't mind-screw her anymore.

-

"I just don't want to jinx it, Ivan. Or play it up to be more than what it is. I'm seeing someone, and until I'm certain how serious it is, I really want to keep him to myself without my little brother checking up on him." Scarlett says this with her 'stern voice' and then wheels to give another look to the bust of the mayor. "Privacy can be a good thing, but people in the area know who you are. Moving is not going to make people forget who you are. What it will likely do is make them ever more annoyingly in your lives. You do realize that probably the best thing to do would be to stop being so private, and be a lot more public with your lives. The more you put out there yourselves, the less effect the tabloids will have." Then she gives him a strange look. "But you're not talking about that are you?"

-

Ivan pauses, before nodding. "Fair enough," he offers once he listens to Scarlett's stern logic. "That works, I suppose. Well! Yeah. I wish you luck with that, then. You deserve the best, Scarlett, so don't settle for anything less." Okay. Now that that awkward pep talk, he can from and lower his eyes to the floor darkly. "There was a vampire that lived at the Ravello. She was fucking around with Faith…using her glamour to trigger her insanity again…" Beat. "The safest thing to do is to get out of the urban environment. Unless you've something else you'd like to suggest…?"

-

The pep talk takes her by surprise, but she takes it with a grain of salt. He's trying, and she can respect that. So she smiles, and will let whatever it is be whatever it is. "Vampires are everywhere, Ivan. I don't know much about them, and I don't care to. But I know that they're everywhere. Who's to stop that vampire from following you to a new locale? And don't say that they can't. The few I've had the pleasure of dealing with have been wry devils." She frowns a little. "You have McNaab's ear. You could always try to pass a bylaw about using the glamour against any unwilling subject, and only using it for the necessity of feeding? Either that, or the Coven and I can research stronger protection spells for Faith. Ones that will prevent vampires from using their glamour. I'm sure it can be done, and with three of us working on it it would be much stronger than me working on it alone." She glances to the jewelry stand, then back to him. "Make sure she wears that ring I brought to her. It's just a general protection ring, but it should help for now."

-

"I do," Ivan speaks with a sigh, rubbing the side of his face as though he's tired. "Make sure she wears it. She knows now, about the protection. And before that…it was a kind of promise ring, from me to her. And vampires don't mind the laws of humans, Scarlett. Why would they? They wont take us seriously until we do real damage to their kind…but I'm trying to avoid that. It'd mean war." Beat. "I know they could follow us. But…fuck, it's got to help somehow? And even if it doesn't, it'll help her. There wont be a lobby for her to be accosted with and she can't stay at Ravello. She's scared. So scared."

-

"Yes, a drunken engagement if I recall." It was more a promise ring from Scarlett to Faith, but semantics. "But I'm glad you're happy, and they should. Be held accountable for human laws. They want to live in our world, then they should be responsible for the same things we are. Otherwise, hell. Witches shouldn't be held accountable for human laws either." Arms cross over her chest, and she shakes her head at him. "You asked my opinion. I think if you get a nice house in the city, it'll be the same as moving further away and commuting. Just my two cents. You could always see about something closer to that weird church. From what I know, vampires don't spend as much time in that area as the rest of the city."

-

"I…guess I'll have to see which one's cheaper then," Ivan murmurs, pursing his lips slightly. "Thanks, then. I guess. Also, you wouldn't happen to know of any spells or blessings or whatever to put on a new place, would you? That'd be grand." He's not bringing up the drunken engagement. It was inflammatory and embarrassing enough the first way around.

-

"One sec." Scarlett dips into the back room again, coming out with a folder of house listings. "Most are in the University Park area, I was looking at some for the Coven, but also for Helen if she's planning on actually sticking around to attend school." A shrug. "You can start with these, then if you want something different, I can give you the name of my realtor?" See, she's being helpful instead of mean. "There's warding magic. It's not something I can do, but I'm sure I can find someone to work it onto a home. Otherwise, you're stuck with the protection magic I can put into something… which I can do if you give me a few weeks and a couple dozen cans of paint… then hook me to an IV."

-

Ivan stares at the folder, before finally setting his water down and reaching over to take the folder. "Can I take this to my hotel?" He inquires, smiling faintly at the woman. "And thanks, Scar. Seriously. I think I'll look some of these over with Faith when I get home. I mean, we've got a lot of things to work out before taking the proverbial plunge…but the idea of having my own place is kind of appealing. And by place I mean house. Like…I get to choose the colors of the walls and how I want the bedroom and everything. Pretty sweet." He lets out a snort then, grinning. "An IV, huh? You don't have to. Although, I might go around searching for a ward witch."

-

There's a nod. "Sure you can. I can print out another copy, or get the realtor to print me off a few more places of interest." It would involve calling the woman, and dealing with the snooty attitude of her thinking Scarlett isn't worth a dime, but whatever. "It is kind of fun." See, she can say that since she actually bought this place instead of renting it. "I just renovated the upstairs and turned it into an apartment instead of storage. It's been fun, but a lot of work." With a laugh, she shakes her head at him. "Just be careful. I think one of the Niveus' has the ability, but I don't trust her one bit, little brother. The one that's going to be a doctor or whatever…"

-

"Yeah?" Ivan glances up towards the cieling as through attempting to see through the floor. "I'm not even sure if I've seen your place one hundred percent fixed up. But, I'm thinking of getting creative." Beat. Cue devilish grin. "Faith wants a jacuzzi inside of the home. I think I might just comply with that." A moment is taken to consider the possibility. "Mhmm? Ah - I think I know who you're talking about. Samantha. Well…" He offers a shrug here, not all that certain that he trusts her either.

-

"Right. That was her name." Scarlett has only met the woman once, but has heard quite a bit about her and was not impressed. "Well you're welcome to go up and take a look. I can't promise Helen's room is spotless, and Trey's likely got a mess by the futon unless he's grabbed his stuff and has gone elsewhere without a word." In which case, he's liable to get an earful from her when next they meet, oh yes. "A jacuzzi inside? Wouldn't you rather get a hot tub out on the deck? Less humidity in the house and all that."

-

"It's a precarious issue. Theoretically, it should be outside. But seeing her…well our track record with privacy…Perhaps inside is better, for now. 'Sides, it facilitates a thing or two. Wont have to worry about peeping toms and the like. And ah - it's okay. I don't want to be incomberant to you, sis." Ivan explains before turning down, shaking his head slowly. "Anyway…so apart from all that rot, how's business?"

-

"Why not build on a sun room? That way you can shade it if you want, and it's still technically outside the house, while remaining part of it." Which means, it should be protected by the 'vampires can't enter' theory. "Just a thought, because I bet during the day it'd be lovely to be relaxing in a nice big hot tub out on the deck." Something she won't actually have here. "Hmm? Oh, trailing off right now. No holidays coming up that warrant jewelry. But the city has me doing these commissions to try to make McNaab look good. Wonder who bent their ear on that one…"

-

Ivan shoots Scarlett a mischievous smile. "Your welcome for all the extra business." He calls out, before pausing. "I think a sun room would be excellent. Yeah. S'a good idea, thanks, Scar. Anyway, Trey and Helen giving you much trouble? Need me to put them in their place or something?"

-

She had him figured out already. Why else would the mayor's office call and be interested in her work? "Yeah thanks," she says. While it seems to come out in an odd manner, it's nothing but sincere. "I know a contractor that can likely do renovations for you as well." Come to think of it, she's pretty well connected for such a 'low' station in life. "Trouble? No, but you know how Trey is. Comes and goes as he pleases, so it's hard to figure if he's still staying here or not. I think Helen's registering for the Fall semester. If not, I'll try to get her a job down at the rec center or something for the summer, working at the day camps."

-

"That's good. Yeah, that's good." Ivan gets to his feet then, clapping his hands together. "Point 'em in my direction if you ever need something done, or…something. Actually, nevermind - you mother much better than I ever could, so I assume you can handle it well enough. Well…I guess I should let you return to your work, unless you've something else to talk about, perhaps?"

-

"I don't mother," Scarlett protests. "I just care." It's mothering. She knows that it is. It's just part of who she is, and now that she's got nearly her entire family here again, something that she's happy to do. "I found a place for the coven. It's nice. Going to need a bit of work. I know you won't join, because you're still with Umbra, but I'd still like you to. To join. To help teach Helen and give her some confidence with her abilities."

-

"When're you next meeting up?" Ivan queries, arching his brows with interest. "Of course I'll drop by. And join as much as I can. I mean…I'm not good at teaching people about what I can do. But I can try and support you, for sure." The Fontane assures, running a hand through his hair thoughtfully.

-

"June twenty-first. Summer Solstice." They are not a Wiccan group, but the Sabbats are as good as any time to meet up. "We may have a brief get together before that. Pie and punch. You know the drill. Meet'n'greet, and show them the location once I get some modifications done on it…" Scarlett smiles brightly. "Admitting you can't do something Ivan? So not like you. Teaching is easy, you just have to figure out what the person will respond to the best. Hell, I taught Robert a thing or two about the magic, and he actually picked up on it. Just think what we could teach someone who actually has a natural affinity toward such things, like Helen."

-

"Cool. Just keep me posted, alright?" Ivan comments with a smile, before it comically turns into a frown. "I admit I can't do many things. For example, I can't look bad. I can't suck at life. I can't not attract everyone I meet, eccetera. I - …why would you teach Robert anything about our art? He's a fag - he doesn't deserve magic." This actually bothers Ivan, judging by the dark furrow of his brows.

-

"Ivan, his family is being hunted and attacked by a wolf. I thought it prudent at the time to help him. Besides, I owed him for the self-defense lessons." Scarlett crosses her arms over her chest, and doesn't look as though she's going to say much else of anything. Until… "Oh, the guy I'm sort of seeing now knows about the magic too. I threw a temper tantrum and doused some guy with water at the park."

-

Ivan rolls his eyes, and though he silently fumes as he considers he who must not be named, he doesn't bring it up any further. He is silent and sullen, slightly. Bu then, he's slightly off-put by the mention that her current beau knows of magic as well. "…Jesus. Do you just tell everyone you meet about what you can do?" Blink. "You doused the dude with water, and he's still willing to see you? Sounds like a trooper."

-

"I didn't douse him. I doused some jackass hothead, who was insinuating that I was an easy lay after dark. Where does some guy I don't know get off making that assumption?" Scarlett is obviously getting angry all over again, as evidenced by the way her icy cold glass of water now looks a little caustic as it starts to boil. "I figured since the guy I'm sort of seeing was standing right there when it happened, it was better to explain it than to have him think I'm some sort of freak. And for the record, Ivan? I didn't tell Robert that I was a witch. You did, when you pointed him to me at Absinthe and told him I could help with some protection stuff."

-

"Oh. Heh. Whatever happened to being careful with that, mhmm? A well-placed slap would have likely done the same thing." Ivan is somewhat amused by the concept of someone calling Scarlett easy - mostly because he is happily oblivious about her current shenanigans. "Why would he say that, though? Were you being particularly slutty? Anyway…I assume he reacted well to the knowledge that you're…magically inclined, eh?"

-

"He… did… actually." Scarlett is still pretty confused about that, but seems most inclined to just shrug it off. "Heh. Hard to slap a man when he's laying atop his truck, unless I climbed up there and getting close to that skeevy guy? Wasn't going to happen." Not when she has her very own slightly fun-skeevy guy. "Me? Slutty?" Her eyes shift away from her brother, and she coughs. "Not particularly, no. Unless kissing in public is now considered some sort of crime." She looks back at him with a sly look. "It was definitely no Ferris wheel incident, if that's what you're asking."

-

Ivan smiles faintly to his sister. "That's a good sign, if anything else." He offers, supportive as he is. But then, all that disappears as he adopts a rather embarassed, blink of his eyes. Sheepishly, he looks away and coughs himself. "I…you're just jealous." He attempts, grinning slightly. "S'not my fault we're…passionate. But what kind of kiss was it? If it was enough to make the dude call you easy…"

-

Scarlett is… actually not jealous, all things considered. After the birthday gift she gave to Hyde, it's a safe bet to say that she may even have one up on her brother, only she wasn't caught on security footage. "It was a god damned kiss, Ivan. It's not like I had my pants around my ankles in the freaking lake." Nearly, maybe. Not quite though.

-

Ivan grins, holding his hands up as he backs away from Scarlett slowly. "Hey, hey, I was just trying to put the a-hole's words into context! No need to get snippy. Anyway, I take my interest back. The thought of you in any remotely intimate situation scares me." Afterwards, he leans back, almost heading off. "Please don't ever reference your pants around your ankles around me, ever again."

-

"Fine." Scarlett fumes for a moment, but then seems to calm down. "Let me rephrase it then. It's not like the guy could've seen my lacy blue panties from his truck either. Unless he's got x-ray vision or something." Grinning, knowing that she's won this little portion of the verbal spar, she nods toward the door. "Now go back and check on your girlfriend before she wanders off again. I've got to finish McNaab's face. A few wrinkles to add and I should be done."

-

Ivan faux salutes. "Will do. I'll catch you later, then. Tell her you said hi. Oh, and not too many wrinkles - McNaab wont like that." And with that, he wanders off happily.